Street-ready 3D printed cars are coming and here's what they could look like

Self-driving cars haven’t hit the streets in masses yet, but 3D
printed cars may be on the road soon.

The Arizona-based company Local Motors recently revealed designs
for what its first consumer-ready 3D printed electric car might
look like, and said that it aims to begin selling its first
street model as soon as next year.

A
rendering of what Local Motor's first 3D-printed car could look
like.Local
Motor

With 3D printing, consumers "will be able to customize
our cars in ways that are not available today from any other
manufacturer," a company spokesperson told Business Insider.
Specifically, 3D printing allows for customizing
various aspects of the car, like its color and
trim.

The first model of Local Motors' 3D-printed vehicle will
sell for anywhere between $18,000 to $30,000 for a low-speed
neighborhood car, the spokesperson said.

To come up with the ideal consumer model, the company hosted a design competition and enlisted
industry experts as judges, as well as car enthusiast and former
host of “The Tonight Show” Jay Leno.

Local
Motors is using this design as part of inspiration for its first
consumer ready 3D printed car.Local
Motors

On Tuesday, Kevin Lo, an engineer living in Vancouver,
Washington, was announced the winner.

Lo’s design is called the “Reload Redacted Swim/Sport.” It's a
modular car that allows for customized, interchangeable body
panels.

The
frame of what could be the first 3D printed car for
consumers.Local
Motor

The side panels of the car are the same, no matter what you make,
but the front and back panels can be changed making the car look
completely different.

The
winner of Local Motors design competition is a 3D printed modular
vehicle.Local
Motors

Lo’s design will “act as the foundation” for the road-ready
3D-printed vehicles, according to a company statement.

Last year at the International Manufacturing Technology Show,
Local Motors showed off the world’s first 3D-printed car using a
massive 3D printer. The car, called the Strati, consists of a
small body and uses an electric engine. But that car isn't a
consumer model; the car it plans to start selling next year
would be.